Employment opportunities

Building geothermal heating systems will boost the construction industries in Ireland and the UK, and create much-needed construction jobs. In 2006 the US Department of Energy reported that building geothermal power plants creates 11 times the number of jobs as building natural gas power plants.

Range of jobs

Direct and indirect employment in areas such as construction, operation, maintenance and research.

Long-term positions, due to long-term agreements between developers and purchasers.

Higher-quality jobs.

Opportunity for unemployed construction workers to up skill and find employment in district heating installation.

Direct employment

A 2010 report by the Geothermal Energy Association found that geothermal workers in the US earn more than the average wage. Professionals employed in the industry include everyone from electricians, plumbers and engineers to architects, designers, geologists, accountants and researchers.

Did you know?

The European Commission has predicted that transitioning to a low-carbon economy will result in the creation of 1.5 million jobs across the EU by 2020. It will, it says, bring us back to the investment levels that existed before the recession.